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BEING
A GOOD LISTENER
By Scott Docherty
Have you ever been told that you aren't a good listener? My wife
Denise has accused me of that a couple of times. This happened just a few nights ago. I suddenly realized I had been
running through my mental notes for the day, making sure that everything that
needed attention got it. I apologized
to Denise by telling her that I was still unwinding from a busy day, and I was
ready to listen.
We at Topflight Grain Coop hope that we have been good listeners
to your needs and issues throughout this crop year. We will continue to be
listen as we perform our farm visits, crop tours, annual meeting, golf outing,
Women's Program, focus and marketing meetings, and especially with our upcoming
harvest. The Topflight Grain Coop
employees will continue to ask questions of how we can help make your life
easier. Please know your input is
important to us as we value your patronage!
Topflight Grain Coop wants to earn your business. We believe we
can accomplish this through First rate employees, competitive marketing,
accurate weights and grades, as well as fair drying and storage rates. Topflight Grain Coop also wants to be a
leader and help bring you new technology and information services. We continue to upgrade and build facilities
so you can dump in less than 6 minutes. Our goal is to provide a competitive
bid and stay financially strong! I
truly believe that our employee's community involvement helps us stay locally
focused and globally strong.
Topflight Grain Coop will continue to look at different avenues of
growth such as new markets, merging, or LLC opportunities. Topflight Grain Coop
has a strong balance sheet and dedicated directors and employees to sustain a
competitive advantage and provide a great benefit and return to our members.
The coop system is alive and strong proving it does pay to do business with
yourself!
* * * *
Did your summer fly by?
With the help of camps, practices, games, and vacation bible school,
ours soared just like I did on the Superman Rollercoaster ride that Dillon took
me on at Six Flags Great America. This year Dillon will be a freshman at
Monticello HS and Annie in 5th grade at Washington. Serge continues the challenge of dialysis 3 days a week but is
doing well. We thank you for your
continued prayers. Denise keeps busy
with her writing group and maintaining balance in our home.
It is evident that harvest is right around the corner as we are all
working to make sure every facility is ready to go! I am up for the challenge of the annual search for good part-time
employees.
Remember, when you are running through your mental notes for the
day, pay attention to what is most important to you. Personally and
professionally I hope and pray for a safe and bountiful Harvest for everyone.
Denny is letting me write the article for the High Flyer again; for the 2nd time! I know almost everything has already been written about, the stressed crops, will the rains come in time to help the beans, and how soon will harvest be starting, etc.
I thought you might be interested in hearing about the new Ultralight plane that can be seen flying over the Maroa area. Last spring, Terry and Travis Hoffman purchased a Captain America Ultralight plane in Iowa to use for crop scouting, etc. It is red, white, and blue with stars on it. Besides checking the crops, Terry says it is a great stress reliever. He likes to go up early in the morning or later in the evening, when there is not too much wind. Terry said he would take me for a ride, but I have yet to take him up on it. (I’m actually chicken; big time) 5 year old Zion, one of Travis’s boys, loves to go up and gets upset when it’s time to land. Travis has a runway at his house, but they can land out in the country, anywhere. They fly anywhere from 5 ft off of the ground to 700 ft. (sunbathers beware) No radio contact is needed, unless they fly close to an airport, where there is more traffic. On longer trips, there would be a need to use an airport to refuel.
Maybe someday, I will get really brave and go up, but I don’t think it will be anytime soon.
The Maroa facility has a new employee, Ted Gandy. He is the outside facility supervisor and we welcome him to the Topflight organization. We hope everyone has a safe and better than expected harvest!
By
Vanessa Stinson
Can you believe that summer is already coming to a close and harvest is upon us? I sure can’t! It seems like this has been the quickest summer yet.
I am also looking for the person or persons who made Mother Nature mad! .Ha-Ha!! If they are found maybe then we will get some reprieve from this drought. The crops in this area are going to be all over the board. But for sure in about 10 weeks we will all know what this year has brought. Here in LaPlace this summer we have been busy shipping grain out and repairing equipment for the upcoming harvest. The procedures for truck traffic this year will be the same as last year - in on the north scale and out on the south scale. LaPlace will be taking the non-approved corn varieties this year. If you have any of this corn I would like for you to get with me before you start harvesting so we can get it in the appropriate bins. We will be taking the non-gmo beans again also. If you have any questions feel free to call us.
We at LaPlace hope that you have a safe harvest and remember what ever life throws at you throw it back.
RIVER BARGES
by Sherryl Young
On Aug. 8, my husband and I went on a Mississippi River barge tour sponsored by the Illinois & Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Soybean Association. This was a very interesting and informative tour.
We boarded in Quincy, IL. We were on a single barge being pushed by a boat owned by ADM. The boat is called American Beauty and it is 170 ft. long and 45 ft. wide. Two 8 ft. diameter props propel the boat. The rudders are 5’ x 9’ x 5/8” steel. (The size of a barn door.) There is a crew of nine with two pilots. Their time on the boat is 30 days on and 30 days off. They work in six-hour shifts. Anything that needs to be done to the boat, they can take care of it. The boat was spotless and the pilot told us that it is that way all the time. The boat had four levels: the main deck, sleeping quarters, kitchen and dining area and the steering room. The steering room has the latest in navigational equipment: Sonar, Radar, GPS tracking, and maps of the river on computer and paper. There is a sensor on the front of the barge tow that alerts the pilot if the front of the tow starts to drift one way or the other before he can even detect it himself visually.
A typical barge tow is 15 barges (3 wide x 5 long). A barge can tow one ton of cargo 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. That same gallon of fuel moves a ton of cargo by rail 200 miles and 60 miles by truck. A barge tow can haul the same amount of grain as 870 semi-trucks (35 miles long end to end) and 350 rail cars (3 mile long train). The majority of the cargo going downstream is agricultural (nearly $9 million worth). Commodities coming up river include coal & petroleum, chemicals, lumber, iron and steel. More than 50% of U.S. agricultural exports are shipped from the Gulf of Mexico.
We traveled down river to Lock #21. We entered the locks and the crew fastened the barge to the sidewall. The doors closed behind us and we started our descent down to the next river level. This process took around 20 minutes, but we were only one barge and boat. A typical barge tow would take much longer. After we left the locks we traveled further down, then turned around and repeated the process. We then went up river to where they were doing some dredging. Contrary to what you might think, the bottom of the river is sand. The sand is dredged out through a floating pipeline to the shore. There it is stockpiled for whoever wants it. It has been used for beaches and in construction.
There are 29 locks and dams on the Mississippi River from Minneapolis/St. Paul to St. Louis. Three have been enlarged to 1200 ft. long. The remainder of the locks is 600 ft. long. Most tows are nearly 1200 ft. long. For them to pass through they must “double-lock”. This can take two to three hours to complete which causes delays of up to 12 hours for others waiting to pass through. In a modern 1200 ft. lock, the process takes three steps, about 45 minutes, but in a 600 ft lock it requires nine steps. The tow enters the lock and is manually separated. The boat pulls the back half out and waits. The front section is raised or lowered and then winched out. The lock level is then reversed and the rest of the tow enters and is raised or lowered. Then the two sections are hooked back together to continue their journey. This series of locks and dams allows vessels to “stair step” their way up or down the river. The dams create pools of water that keep the river at a depth to navigate. The river drops 350 ft. in elevation from Minneapolis to St. Louis.
The locks were built in the 1930’s, with an expected usefulness of 50 years. They are constantly being repaired. If a lock has to be shut down it would cause great delays and products would have to be loaded onto other means of transportation, which increases the costs. It is important to get these locks modernized. Everyone is affected by shipping on the river. Delays because of double locking also cause additional fuel costs. The engines are kept running the whole time while each towboat waits for its turn in the lock. These boats burn between 1500 to 2000 gallons (of diesel fuel) a day. For the sake of comparison, imagine how difficult it would be to travel today if our highways were only two lanes wide and airport runways were only long enough to accommodate propeller aircraft as they were in the 1930’s. It is time to modernize our river transportation system as we have done other means of transportation.
If you get an opportunity to take this tour next year, do it. It is well worth your time.
Harvest is right around the corner. I am looking forward to fall this year, and hopefully cooler temperatures will be here soon. It has been a hot and steamy summer, which also describes some customer reactions to the current market prices. We’ve been working hard all summer long to get bins cleaned out and ready for fall. Over the last three and a half months we’ve loaded some trains, and trucked grain out to the Decatur processing facilities. Stason Kopps, Chris Frye, and Jim Shaffer have been here this summer to help load trains, do cleanup, and get equipment tuned up for fall.
I’ve had a chance to get to know quite a few customers since coming here in May. I must say that they’ve been very gracious with my learning curve when I started. I generally have a morning group that comes in to have coffee, and check the markets for the overnight bids. Ron O’Connor and Bill Scott are here before anyone else. Bill keeps me updated on how the Cardinals are doing. Bill Young stops by 2 or 3 times a day to check the markets, and grab a quick snack before getting back to supervising the township roadwork going on. Chris Karr has been in the office pretty frequently to bounce skit ideas off people for this year’s Hog Calling Contest at the State Fair. The Nibling brothers, Jim and Mark, join us too. Jim has been raising money for the Parkland Tractor Pulling team for a while now. He got to experience the thrill of racing it for the first time, and took 2nd place. Mark has been mowing ditches, and just recently took off for Sturgis, SD on his Harley Davidson.
This summer has been full of getting acquainted with customers, and learning all of the parts of the elevator here in Seymour. One thing stands out about the summer, the 4th of July parade here in Seymour. My wife and son joined me in the Topflight airplane float for the parade. I never would’ve imagined that a town of 300 people could triple, but what a turnout! We had over 50 antique tractors in the parade alone. It was a truly fun experience showing off the hard work of our maintenance/float builders. The popular comment was, “Does that thing really fly?”
I would like to give everyone a little background about myself. I am Jason Goodner, and I’m the new location manager at Seymour. I took over for Dick Thomas, who was filling in till I was hired. I am a central IL native. I grew up in Oakwood, IL and went to school there. From there I went on to the University of Illinois in Urbana. I graduated with a degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with an emphasis in farm, food, and financial management. I am an avid Illini fan, and will talk shop about my Illini at any time. I have been married for 4 plus years to my wife Kari, and we have one son named Kolby. Kolby will be turning 3 on September 12th.
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe harvest. I look forward to seeing some new faces this fall. I would also like to thank all the staff at Topflight for helping me get started. I feel lucky to have such a great group of co-workers willing to all pitch in to get the job done.
PIERSON HAPPENINGS
by Russel Wright
Whow! Where did this summer go? We always say that every year, but this year it seems like summer just flew by. As we prepare for this year’s harvest, several projects were completed. For instance, some worn out spouting at Pierson was taken down and repaired. The railroad tracks at Pierson were repaired with new ties, as well as leveling. The truck scale at Lanton was repaired. All the grain legs, conveyors, augers, aeration fans, and grain belts had the necessary maintenance done on them, to help relieve any problems at harvest time.
There was a cornucopia of events during the summer. The new Topflight airplane made several parades, Hammond and Seymour 4th of July parade and a couple of sesquicentennial celebrations, Cerro Gordo and Bement. The plane “took off” so to speak at the Apple Dumpling parade as well. The county fairs were well attended by Topflight customers and exhibiters. Everyone always looks forward to the crop tour that is held in August. I think everyone wants to know what the crops will yield in their area as well as other parts of the Topflight trade area.
With the summer projects almost complete, one can tell fall is approaching. The local road districts are oiling their roads. Schools will be starting in a few days, and the local football and volleyball teams have started practicing. The summer ball teams are all done, and the swimming pools have been crowded. With all the hot weather we have had, that was the place to be this summer.
Fred and Gary are busy emptying the bins for fall. Even with little rain and oppressive heat, the crops still look good in this area. Willard is busy wrapping up the maintenance projects that need to be done. Brock is always working on the safety of Topflight employees as well as going to tractor pulls. Gloria is done with United Prairie billing, she even found time to enjoy a few days in Mexico with other United Prairie employees. Oh by the way she welcomed a new grandson, Andrew Julian Trouth, over the summer. Debby and I enjoyed our drives in the convertible and our grandchildren. We also have welcomed into the Wright family a new granddaughter, Kendyl Christine Wright. We now have four grandchildern, three girls and a boy. They sure are a lot of fun.
From all of the employees at Pierson, everyone have a safe and bountiful harvest this year.
By Sandy
Davenport
I believe that I have started every other pre-harvest article with “I can’t believe that harvest is right around the corner”, so why change? “I can’t believe that harvest is right around the corner!”
As most of you know, Emery is in the final stages of erecting a new bin. Groundwork started in mid march. Since then, there has been a lot of activity around here. The bin is a 105’x85’ GSI with an approximate capacity of 691,000 bushels. WOW! What a help this will be at Emery.
Last harvest several of our customers either had a marker board attached to the bed of their truck bed or cardboard signs they held that had the farm code of the farm they were delivering from. As they drove across the scale, the scale attendant could see this information and enter it into the computer. Other people would call before the truck got to the elevator and let me know which farm it was coming from. Any of these ways sure did help us in the office. If you would like your farm codes, you can call the office and I will be happy to give them to you.
Charlie and I painted the inside of the office this spring. With the walls looking so good, we couldn’t have the old dingy floors, so we now have a new tile floor. It still gets really dirty, but is so much easier to clean. We have had several compliments on the office.
Last week a retired Emery worker came back for a visit. He retired from Emery last December after many dedicated years of service. I had heard about his new life after Emery, but hadn’t seen him since he went into retirement. When the office door opened and I heard him, I didn’t even have to get out of my chair to see who had come in. No one else sounds like that and would be so happy to be back at Emery. BOOMER WAS BACK! And lookin’ good!! He was so happy and after sniffing everything out, he finally came over to see me. He has taken to city life real well. I have never seen his coat so soft, sleek and shiny. He has even had pedicures. Like a lot us of, he has put on a few extra pounds, but he looks great and has definitely taken to city life and retirement.
Jerry and I took our trip to Pigeon Forge in June. The cabin we rented was awesome, very relaxing. We will definitely go back. In July, we pulled the camper to the Wisconsin Dells. Our son and his family rented a cabin in the same campground. We had a great time watching the grandsons. I don’t ever remember having that much energy. They made us tired just watching them. They loved the waterparks and go-carts.
Well, it won’t be long and we won’t have to be guessing how much damage has been done to this years’ crop because of the lack of rain. Seems like most agree that we are going to have a lot of varied yields. Be sure to have the proper paperwork and forms signed at the FSA office. Looks like we could be working with the wonderful LDP again this year. Someone said last week that working with the LDP is better than the PIK Certificate. I think that is a toss up. No matter what, we look forward to seeing you this fall and as always, if there is something that we can do to “Make Your Life Easier”, please let me know.
A TALE OF TERROR
By Jack Warren
In my life, I have discovered terror comes in many shapes, sizes and form. But never have I known nor experienced that which confronted me when I was relocated to the Monticello location.
It all started when I began to transfer corn from the steel tank. As I entered that dark and dank tunnel that leads to the center of the tank, I had not a notion of what awaited me. This was a most vile creature of unknown origin that had laid claim to this underworld. No one knew how long he had been there, but it was obvious that this was his, and it was determined to drive out all trespassers.
Needing to carry on my duties, it became necessary to arm myself on each excursion. As this “Satan’s Spawn” would on a regular basis charge me like a mad Spanish bull.
The Great White (Rob Dick) sensing my apprehension volunteered to assist me in the removal of said creature. With the help of Mountain Boy (Chris Frye), and armed to the teeth with a yard long piece of lumber, flashlight, pellet gun and safety equipment, they entered the tunnel.
Red Truck (Stason Kopps) and myself were on standby, ready to assist, when we heard muffled screams of outrage and pain, then total silence.
Rob is doing much better now as long as he stays on his medication. Chris still has trouble sleeping at night without a nightlight and has an uncontrollable fear of Velcro.
As for the creature, I never saw him again. He lives now only in my nightmares.
“Moral of the story”
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.
By Lindy Powers
I will have started my second year at Topflight Grain on August 30th. I have really enjoyed the last year. We had one huge crop and things went fairly well, considering that was my first harvest. This harvest, please be sure to display your farm ID’s so that we can be sure that everything is done correctly this fall. Rick and Jeff have done a fine job of getting things prepared for harvest.
My daughter, Katie, is an 8th grade cheerleader and has been practicing diligently all summer. Her cheerleading squad performed at the state fair and came in 2nd place. Of course, that makes the old dad very proud. She, and her team, will also performed on August 17 at Busch Stadium before the Cardinal game started. Wrigley Field would have been preferable to the family, but we can’t be choosy. We are just happy for her to have this opportunity.
Our granddaughter, Madison, turned one in May, granddaughter Mya will be 4 in October and our youngest granddaughter, Autumn, is six months old. They are my pride and joy and I thank my daughters Dana and Tonya for giving us such a blessing in our lives.
Ann and I went camping this summer with our friends from Clinton (The Shade Chasers). They all have very nice campers and motor homes. We use my sister’s $220.00 pop-up camper, which we simply love, and inherited a name from our Shade Chaser friends as the “Taj Mahal”. We take a lot of teasing, but we have a good time. Thanks to Don Builta and the rest of the gang for taking us in and making us feel at home. We lost one of the Shade Chasers last year, Dean Barnhill. He is sadly missed and there is a void when we are all camping together, but he is always in our hearts.
I haven’t got around to teaching Ann how to play golf yet this year, so I think I will just wait until next year. She certainly is complaining as golf is not a priority to her, but I keep telling her that once she tries it, she will love it.
As far as the Cubs go, JUST WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!! They stunk this year but I’ll be with them again next spring.
I hope everyone has a safe harvest and the yields are better than we anticipate.
Thanks for being so kind to me and making me feel a part of the Topflight family. I appreciate all of you and look forward to working with you this fall.
HOW MANY BUSHELS WILL THERE BE?????
By
Derrick Bruhn
The
USDA thinks that the US will produce 10.350 billion bushels of corn and 2.791
billion bushels of beans. This means
that the average yield on corn is 139.2 and beans will be 38.7. This is hard to believe when we are sitting
in the center of a drought stricken area of Illinois. These are the estimates that they published for the August crop
production report. The average corn trade
guess ranged from 9.99 to 10.6 and beans from 2.74 to 2.86. The weather has run the markets all summer
and will continue to until the crop is harvested. Once yields start coming in everyone will have a better idea of
what is or isn’t out there. I think
that the US will end up with 10.150-billion corn crop and 2.70-bean crop. This would take corn carryout to 1.70
billion bu and bean carryout to under 100 million bu. We will all have to wait and see.
Often times we struggle with the question of crop size just about as much as the farmer does. We have to make sure that there will be enough space for the crop that is about to be brought in. Many times this is tough because of on farm storage that may or may not be used from year to year. Non-gmo beans are very tough because we want to make sure there is enough room for those that are fall delivered, but at the same time we don’t want a bin half empty. It is very helpful to us when a farmer makes his plans known to the local office so that we may plan accordingly.
Non-approved corn questions have already started coming in concerning the 2006/07-corn crop. The seed salesmen have been knocking on doors and calling customers to try and get seed commitments for next year. The European Union will accept round-up corn, but it cannot be stacked with any other trait. We will take all varieties of corn at our Cisco, Seymour, LaPlace, and Pierson facilities. All other locations will only accept feed and food approved corn.
My family has been doing great this summer. Lynne will be teaching at Monticello Middle School this year. She will have 6th grade literature and language arts. She is very excited about the change in grade levels, but not very excited about leaving Mabry after spending all summer with her. We have a great babysitter and I am sure everything will be fine. Mabry will have her 1st birthday the 11th of Nov. Many of you have told me she will grow-up fast and you are definitely correct. The first year has been great! She is still sleeping all night and is always happy. I often wonder where all the time goes with our busy schedules.
By Richard Thomas
Thanks to a retirement present from ADM, Bonnie and I got to go down the Mississippi river from St. Louis to New Orleans on a line boat. We left St. Louis on Monday the 30th of May and arrived in New Orleans Sunday June 5th. We rode on a tug named the Cooperative Spirit that is owned by ARTCO, one of ADM’s transportation divisions. It was one of the largest and most powerful tugs ARTCO has in their fleet. I had made arrangements for several of our customers to take this trip over the years but never felt like I had the time to do it myself. So I was overjoyed when ADM gave me the present.
Our accommodations were excellent. We stayed in a suite that included an exercise room and three full meals a day. It was out of this world. We ate with the crew, which consisted of 9 people, including the cook. The crew works 6-hour shifts, 24 hours a day for 30 days and then they are off for 30 days. Here are some other facts I think you might find interesting.
11. You could drive from St. Louis to New Orleans in 10 hours and it took
us 6 days to make the trip with the tow.
a. It takes 10 days to make the same trip back north because of the current.
12. We pushed 30 barges to Cairo where we picked up another 10.
a. Our tow consisted of corn, soybeans, soybean oil, corn gluten and two empty barges. The liquid loads were placed inside the tow for safety reasons.
b. Each day one of the deck hands took the temperature of the corn gluten to make sure it wasn’t getting to hot. Sometimes that product can catch on fire if not handled properly.
13. Every day the deck hands checked the void (air space) on the barges to see if they were leaking water. If they were, they took a portable pump out on the tow and pumped the water out. Then they would enter the air space through a manhole and drive red wood shingles in the leak, which would swell up and stop the leaking until it got to port and could be fixed.
14. A lot of the crewmembers on our line boat were from Louisiana. The different job titles are: Captain, Pilot, Chief Engineer, Mate, Assistant Engineer, Watchman, Deck Hands, and cook.
15. All the food and supplies are delivered by boat from the shore so we never stopped on the trip except for one time when we had motor problems. Same way when we went to get off, a water taxi picked us up and transported us to shore while we were still moving.
Just like most companies ARTCO is looking for ways to work safely and save money. They have replaced the cables that fasten the tug to the tow with Kaualar Nylon rope. By doing this they have been able to cut the crew size by 2, plus it’s much safer and easier to handle. The cost to do this runs about $20,000 per vessel and has a life span of over two years. They have also mounted permanent winches on the barges which is safer and makes putting the tow together much easier.
Bonnie and I found the trip to be very interesting and educational. We did lots of reading and playing cards. Matter of fact I won so much at cards that she got mad one day and threw the cards at me. So if you ever take one of these trips make sure you get along well with your partner because you do a lot of bonding.
I would like to thank ADM for such a nice gift and helping me fulfill one of my ambitions in life.
By Brock
Casteel
Sounds silly doesn’t it, but during this summer dry spell it has seemed that once again we have blinked an eye and harvest is upon us. Every year about this time we start our mad dash to get things finished, grain shipped and in position for harvest. Along with the new crop coming in, we also have a new crop of employees hired just to accommodate our farmers during everybody’s busy time of year. They will be helping you turn quick loads while in our facilities. Remember to pay close attention to your dump operator while entering, dumping in, and leaving the pit.
Friday the 19th I will be competing in the Illinois State Fair tractor pulls classics division. I will be driving for my brother Derk who is gone on his honeymoon. Of course this will not be on one of my familiar Prairie Gold tractors, but on a very good Farmall M. If I can keep operator error to a minimum, hopefully I will have as much success as he has.
Good luck to everyone in the field this year, and have a safe and profitable harvest, from everyone here at Topflight Grain. We will see you soon.
NEWS FROM MONTICELLO
By Jason Geppert
The summer has passed by quickly and now it is time for harvest. The guys outside have been working hard this summer to make sure everything is ready for the upcoming harvest. Jack Warren has been busy cleaning bins, moving grain, and loading trains. He has done an excellent job of keeping the facility neat and clean. Rob Dick has had a lot of maintenance work this summer. He has replaced a couple leg belts here at Monticello, has fixed our dust collector, and has had many projects at other facilities. Jim Shaffer has been busy making sure Lodge is ready for harvest. He has been helping at Monticello and Seymour, loading trains and cleaning. Chris Frye has been busy working at Seymour. He has been helping clean bins and load trains. Stason Kopps has done an excellent job of making sure all the trains are loaded in a timely manner. He also has been busy making sure everything is ready to go for harvest.
The inside crew has also been busy. The 2005 weather market has kept us on our toes for most of the growing season. Sherryl Young has been busy with offers and rail settlements. Derrick Bruhn has been busy making sales to make sure that there is enough room to hold this year’s crop.
This year has gone by quickly. It is hard believe that I have been here a year already. This year has been a great learning experience. This spring I was able to pass the Series 3-commodity brokerage exam. Also, Derrick has taught me a lot this year and I look forward to learning more. Have a safe harvest.
HARVEST 2005…..
What will we have?? How much will there be?? These are questions everyone is wondering right now. The weather sure hasn’t cooperated very much for this crop. Started out with cold weather…then very hot and dry weather. BUT, the markets sure aren’t reflecting those conditions at this point. As we always say, we will take what we get…that is the farming way.
Cisco is getting ready for the crop. We will be almost empty, so we should be in good shape for whatever is out there. The guys have really been working hard cleaning out bins and repairing and doing maintenance.
John McCabe retired in May of this year, so you won’t be seeing him this harvest. Russ, Garold and Rick will be here along with some part-time help to make sure you get good service. Jon Sago and Joyce Bennett will be helping me inside again this year. Experience sure makes a difference during our busy time!!
Cisco is one of the four locations taking the ‘un-approved’ varieties of corn. Please make us aware if you have some of this corn. We will also be taking non-gmo beans again this year. Also, we would appreciate knowing any farm changes in advance of pulling on the scales. Make sure, too, that you have the appropriate forms signed at the FSA office.
Well, time for the grandchildren update. In July, Blaine turned 3 and JD turned 2. Audrey is now 21 months old. It is amazing what they know and how much they can tell you. Grandpa and I have broadened our knowledge of the ‘Wiggles’, ‘Buzz Lightyear’, and ‘Elmo’. It has surprised me that a DVD of the kids’ can now interrupt the history channel…and any of the three can sit in grandpa’s chair!! Another given: McDonald’s is the only place for lunch. As you can tell, we really enjoy them!!
We hope you and your families have had an enjoyable summer. We want to thank all of our customers for your business and have a very safe harvest!!
Grandparent quotes:
Surely,
two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a
grandchild or a grandparent.
-Donald A. Norberg-
Grandchildren
are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.
-Lois Wyse-
Few
things are more delightful than grandchildren fighting over your lap.
-Doug Larson-
By Rodd Runyen
My 10 year-old son, Bailey, is following in his Dad’s footsteps – he’s a Chicago Cubs fan! He truly loves the game of baseball and keeps up on all the players and teams. He is a true baseball fanatic!
We found a contest to enter where he could win a chance to be a Walgreen’s Celebrity Bat Kid for a day. These are the kids you see on T.V. during the first couple of innings of a Cubs game that wave to the camera while their names and hometowns are announced. We sent in several postcards to give him more of a chance to be drawn as a winner. The winner would get to sit in the dugout before the game, receive a hat, a ball, a Cubs/Walgreen’s Bat Kid T-shirt, a certificate, get their name put on the scoreboard, have their name announced over the loudspeaker, and of course, get to be on T.V. waving. So we sent in the postcards and hoped we would hear back on them, not telling Bailey what we had done.
I was at work one day when my wife Tera called me. She said, “Did you hear that?”
I said, “Hear what?”
Bailey yelled in the background, “I’m the Walgreen’s Celebrity Bat Kid for a day!!” He had won one of the prize packages. We were going to Wrigley Field!
He was chosen to be bat kid on Monday, July 25th. It was a night game between the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. We arrived at Wrigley Field at 4:30PM. We were given his shirt and a baseball. He went down into the dugout. After a few minutes, they had him and the girl that had been chosen also, come out of the dugout. They filmed them waving at the camera. This is what they would use during the game. They went back into the dugout and were there for 55 minutes. Bailey had the time of his life! He got autographs from Derrek Lee, Todd Walker, Aramis Ramirez, Michael Barrett, Jerry Hairston Jr., Jeromy Burnitz, Greg Maddux, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Sergio Mitre, Dusty Baker, and Ron Santo on his baseball. It is now his prized possession!! When he finished, we went to our seats.
About 45 minutes later, Bailey went back down onto the Wrigley Field grass. They announced his name and where he was from along with the girl who had won. You looked at the centerfield scoreboard and it had in big letters:
BAILEY RUNYEN
CERRO GORDO, IL
It was a huge thrill for him.
We then went up to our seats. We could see a T.V. monitor and in the third inning saw Bailey on the screen waving! We watched the game, and it was a thriller. The Cubs won in the bottom of the ninth. The crowd was going crazy, acting like they had won the World Series! Bailey had a blast and left Wrigley Field with memories that he and our family will never forget.
P.S. I would also like to congratulate Jordan Klein, son of Mike & Kim Klein, of Oakley! His mom called to let me know that Jordan also just won one of the Walgreen’s Celebrity Bat Kid for a day prize packages! He is a big Cubs fan and is very excited! I know he and his family will also have some good memories to share of this experience. Congrats Jordan!
This past fiscal year was a record for stock redemption. A total of $320,191 was paid back to current and deceased stockholders. This amounted to 7.5% of the total stock outstanding in your company.
The reason this is possible is the ability to continue to earn a profit. In case you missed the Annual Meeting, your company had net earnings of $886,363. This profit is necessary to continue to buy back stock, build facilities and operate efficiently.
A strong balance sheet gives your company the ability to change with the ever-changing business environment and continue to offer the best service to its stockholders. It does pay to do business with yourself.
Have a safe harvest.
By Stason Kopps
Here we are again on the verge of another harvest. I cannot believe a year has passed since last harvest. The summer has passed by very quickly as well. As I write this Topflight has received its first load of new corn: 28% moisture, 54.7 test weight.
It was definitely a hot and dry summer. Not only was this hard on the crops, it was hard on the guys working outside. Jack Warren kept busy moving grain and cleaning. He is looking forward to his first harvest since returning to Monticello. Chris Frye is back at Seymour this harvest after spending most of the summer working at Monticello. Rob Dick is busy with maintenance. He has a list that keeps him very busy. Jim Shaffer will be back at Lodge this year. Jim tells me this will be his last harvest. After 33 years in the business, Jim plans to retire at the end of the year.
In the last High Flyer I mentioned that I wanted lose some weight. Thanks to working hard and riding my bicycle about 1000 miles this summer, I was able to lose 15 pounds. Also I learned a salad makes a good lunch.
This will be my ninth harvest at Topflight, yet I am always amazed how everyone pulls together to get the job done. I hope everyone has a safe and productive harvest.
Here at the Atwood facility, I’m getting ready for the upcoming harvest, shipping out corn and beans so my customers can fill them back up again. Even though we have had spotty rains and high heat, we will be able to take what is delivered. Maybe the prices will be better at harvest.
My thoughts are with the Charles Harshbarger family. Charlie passed away this past spring. He was always smiling and happy when he delivered grain to us in the fall. He told me once that he sure likes to play golf and enjoyed Topflight’s golf outing. Of course he always made the best ice cream for the Lake Fork Church‘s ice cream social.
I want to thank Allen Reeder for serving on Topflight’s board of directors. Thanks Allen.
Stop by the Atwood facility sometime and I will make us some popcorn and coffee.
Everyone have a safe and bountiful harvest.
By Pam Jarboe
It was a very busy summer, as we planned the final details for Bement’s Sesquicentennial. For the last three years, our committee has discussed ideas, made plans and asked others to help. It’s been fun, and I enjoyed working with people that I’ve known for years, but never had the opportunity to work with. We found a lot of good leaders and a lot of good workers. People were kind; people and businesses were extremely generous. It was a great celebration, and I think everyone had a good time.
When I kept hearing of the people who were coming “home” for the Sesquicentennial, I (and the other committee members) really worried that the activities and events would be worth the trip home. Well, it did turn out to be a great weekend. Many people did come home. And I think we all had a good time.
We found old pictures. Others brought in old pictures. It was so much fun, as I heard the stories of Bement and our people, from 50 years ago (and more). Hill’s Café, the movie theaters, the taverns, Saturday nights in town – everyone had such fun stories. Things have changed a lot in 50 years! I learned a lot and enjoyed the conversations so much!
I think Dick mentions it in his article of this newsletter, that you really don’t know how much work, worry and planning goes on in this type of event, unless you’re really involved. You find out who has the contacts, who can organize, who can ask for donations, and who will get it done. It all came together, for a great weekend, with many choices of activities, and best of all, a group of wonderful people. It was a Homecoming for many; for me, a chance to meet so many people that I knew, but hadn’t met.
It’s been a fun, busy summer, and I really enjoyed it. Thank you, to everyone who helped celebrate Bement’s Sesquicentennial.
By Eric Clements
The fall harvest is here once again. The elevator employees have been busy making the necessary repairs to the elevators to prepare them for harvest. Monticello installed two new leg belts and buckets. Roger, Willard and a crew of helpers installed a new leg belt at LaPlace. The rubber on the back of the belts had blistered and come apart. These belts were only five years old. I set up a meeting with the belt company and they sent a representative out to meet with us to look at the problem. The gentleman arrived on time but then made me wait one hour while he was on his mobile phone in our parking lot. When he finally ended his conversation on the phone we showed him our blistered belt. He acknowledged that his company had a problem but they would only expect the belt to last ten years. I told him that we have leg belts that have been here for thirty years. They offered little relief towards a new belt but no help on the installation cost. These belts are very time consuming to install. So I was not very happy that we needed to replaced three belts because of their poor product and their unwillingness to help financially. I decided to call their corporate headquarters and talk to someone with some authority. When I finally reached this fellow, I told him of our problem. I gave him a chance to keep our business. I quickly found out that he didn’t care about keeping our business. I am telling this story so that if you find a blistered part of our company that you would call us and we will care enough about keeping your business.
Mitch and Hayden had another summer filled with baseball games. Hayden was on an Ivesdale T Ball team. He cannot wait until next year when he gets to move up to B- ball. I helped coach Mitch’s A- ball team and we started out strong but ran into a rough patch. But the boys all had fun and that is what it is all about. It is really neat to watch these boys improve and have fun playing baseball.
My family went to Chicago for a couple of days this summer. Hayden is really into dinosaurs and the Field Museum has a great display of fossils. I asked Hayden on the way home what the best part of our trip and he said the dinosaurs. I was proud because I thought he would say the pool at the hotel. I know that is what I said when I was a kid.
I hope that everyone has a safe and productive fall harvest.
Congratulations to . . . .
Arnold & Marlene Schultz, grandparents of Mara Lee Baker, born July 19; Amanda Bruce and her new daughter, MncKinsey Marie, born July 8. (Amanda was our spring intern from Lakeland.); Gloria Litwiller, grandma to Andrew Julian Trouth, born July 5, to daughter Stacey and her husband Jeff; Katie Powers, daughter of Lindy Powers, performing with the Clinton Jr High Cheerleaders at the St Louis Cardinal game on August 17; Michael & Jane Burton, parents of Lane Michael, born June 1. Proud grandparents are Roger & Karen Burton and Steve and Mary Mann; Dave & Cheri Foran. Dave has taken a job with Safeway, in California; Marlene Johnson and Jackie Fisher, achieving “Centennial Farm” recognition from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. They are third generation owners of the farm, owned by their grandparents, Daniel and Catherine Tynan; then their parents, Orville and Agnes Bowyer. Jackie’s son, Bill Gallagher farms the ground. Jon Chenoweth, Jacob Hite and Colton Hite, members of the Decatur Gun Club Junior Trap Shooting Team, placing 5th in the Illinois State Championship, and qualifying for participation in the Grand American World Trapshooting Championship in Ohio; Patricia Chenoweth, recipient of Macon County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship; Paul & Helen Lilly, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 7; Deanna Lourash, retiring from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, with 20 years of banking; John & Myrna Sebens, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 26; Edna Lamb, whose 90th birthday was July 30; Lawrence and Dorothy Gregory, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 17; Keith & Ann Paul, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 17; Molly Marker, who assisted in the opening of a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, with classmates from Loyola Medical School; Jan & Dale Riggins, Bentsen Grove Resort’s 2005 Queen & King; Ted & Suzanne Shambaugh, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 30; Stanley Mackey, who 90th birthday was July 17; Larry & Sue LeCrone, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 19; Max & Jean Moore, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and Max’s 80th birthday this summer; Sara Runyen, first place winner in the American Legion Auxiliary District Junior meeting; Bernie & Edythe Bork, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April;
Fredonna Faulkner, whose 90th birthday was June 8; Edythe Weddle, who celebrated her 100th birthday on June 12; Seevers Farm Drainage, in business for 30 years; Libby Glasgow, Vernette Miller and Louise Brewer, displaying 75 years of Piatt County Home and Community Education; Jennifer Perry and Oscar Barlett, married on june 11; Adam Sleeth, Josh Lieb, Scott McFarland, and Shannon Carroll, newly elected officers of Piatt County Farm Bureau Young Ag Leaders; Ashley Bennett and Jacob Cain, married on June 25; Clyde Clarkson, whose 80th birthday was celebrated on May 11; Virgil & Karen Woodard, married 50 years, on May 21; Jack Funk, 50 year member of Bement Lions Club, recognized with a 50-year Chevron pin, presented by Harold Frye; John & Ann Prancshke, married 25 years on May 31; Russel and Debby Wright, grandparents of Kendyl Christine Wright, born to Marcus and Nicole Wright; Ron & Peggy Gregory, who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary;
Bob and Ann Clark, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 14; Rodd Runyen reached the magic “40” in May; Mrs. Hammond, retiring from teaching 2nd grade at Bement Grade School. We certainly enjoyed working with Mrs. Hammond and wish her a very happy retirement! Wayne & Darci Chupp, new parents to Logan Dwight Chupp on July 17. The proud grandparents are Linda & Larry Dyson. The proud great-grandparents are Dwight & Mary Blythe; Gerald Hiser, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday; Rob & Jeanie Bennett, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer; Randy & Nancy Bennett, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer; Wally & Trudy Cresap, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer; Ron & Jan Reeves, who celebrated their 50th anniversary this summer; Dillon Docherty, graduating from 8th grade;
Jeanine Laroe, winner of the purple champion ribbon, for her photograph of Topflight Grain, entered in the Champaign County Fair; Grandma Bonnie Thomas; She and Dick have a new grandson. Austin James was welcomed home by brother Tyler and sister Sydney. Proud parents are Todd & Cheri Thomas;
A couple had been debating the purchase of a new auto for weeks. He wanted a new truck. She wanted a fast little sports car so she could zip through traffic around town.
He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, but everything she seemed to like was way out of their price range.
“Look!” she said. I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in 4 seconds or less. “And my birthday is coming up. You could surprise me.”
For he birthday, he bought her a brand new bathroom scale.
Services will be at Roux-Hinds funeral home on Monday. Due to the condition of the body, this will be a closed casket service. Please send your donations to the “Think before you say things to your wife foundation”, Bement, IL.
Our sympathies to the families of . . . .
Mary Hillis Totten, Marie Doyle, Pastor Steve Bramlett, Catherine Hixson, John Helm, Linda Morgan Felty, Gordon Bennett, Jim Carney, Charles Friesner, Robert Ford, June Slevin, Mabel Louise Lemon, Mary Hoppe, Floyd Larimore, Viva Ruth Hite, Eva Speer, Mary Anderson, Elnora Stiles, Ruby Higgins, Mary Adams, Pauline Baker, Velma Beccue, Lotha Clark, William H Brown, Margaret Alexander, Sandy Hogan, Charles Harshbarger, Irene Trower, Jim Carter, Eugene Uhe, David Ensign, Larry & Mirian Miller, Martha Schrodt, and all others who have lost loved ones.
AND THE WINNERS ARE . . . .
The Topflight Trivia contest has had good participation this summer. At the end of each month, we randomly select one of the month’s entries as the winner of that month’s contest. Rory Wright won the April contest; Katy Briggs won the May contest; Richard Mumm won the June contest; and Roger Hendrix was the July winner. The winner receives a Topflight Grain T-shirt, and the added summer prize of 2 tickets to the Farm Progress Show.
A new Trivia question is posted each week, on the Topflight Grain website. Our address is www.topflightgrain.com. Then click on the green Trivia tab, to read the question and submit your answer. We appreciate all your answers and enjoy the additional comments that we receive. We look forward to the fall contest!
HEALTHY HARVEST!
By Denise Docherty
The inspiration for this article came when I was reviewing the best immune system building foods to feed my family, as we get ready to go back to school and the busy harvest season. We all know that a poor diet weakens the immune system. The new nutritional food pyramid was released earlier this year.
RECOMMENDED FOOD: - 2 cups of fruit
- 2.5 cups of a variety of vegetables
- 3 ounces or more of whole-grains
- 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat dairy foods
- 5 ½ oz Meat & Beans
Remember; fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and whole grains are good carbs.
It is best to avoid sugary and starchy foods and beverages. Prepackaged foods can add up to more than the recommended less than one teaspoon of salt per day and should also be avoided.
Zinc helps in the making of white blood cells which recognize and destroy bacteria and viruses. Zinc is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies among adults. Beef, oysters, whole grain oatmeal, pork, poultry, yogurt and milk are good sources of zinc, protein, iron and selenium.
Sweet Potatoes which contain beta-carotene are a good source of Vitamin A which promotes healthy strong skin. Other sources are carrots, squash, pumpkin and cantaloupe. Remember your skin is the first defense against viruses and bacteria.
White blood cells fight infection; mushrooms increase the production and activity of those cells.
Green and black teas contain antioxidants that rid the body of free radicals.
Oranges also contain antioxidants and 100% of the recommended allowance of vitamin C.
Green bell peppers are a natural painkiller and also contain vitamin C.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic that can help prevent cold symptoms.
Of course exercise!
A fit mind is as important as a strong healthy body. I personally recommend the book titled, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS. I bought it on CD and listen to it when I walk. Love It!
Note to all, I am not a nutritionist, just a wife and mother that wants her family to be healthy. The information in this article was gathered from a number of books, articles, and the internet.
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY HEALTHY HEARVEST!
WOMEN'S
REVENGE
"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman
wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote
control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always
carry your TV remote?" I asked. "No," she replied, " but my
husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil
thing I could do to him legally."
MARRIAGE SEMINAR
While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife
Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives
know each other's likes and dislikes."
He addressed the man, "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"
Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's
Pillsbury, isn't it?”
WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An
earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede
their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
USED OIL PICKUP
Equipment and vehicle maintenance on the farm often includes oil changes. JBS Oil Service, from Iuka IL has pick up services available, for the used oil. If you’re interested in their services, the phone number is 618-323-9407.
GIRLS DAY OUT
Secretary’s Day at Topflight Grain was a great
day. Scott hosted the day for Vanessa, Jill,
Mikki, Sandy, Gloria, Pam and Sherryl.
First stop was the office of Tate & Lyle (A E Staley) in
Decatur. Kris Roberts and Lynn Hiser
welcomed the group to the magnificent building. Kris and Lynn described the
research of the labs, working to meet the needs of their consumers,
transportation challenges, and the change to British ownership. The tour of the building was fantastic! The architecture that Mr Staley built into
his headquarters is detailed, intricate and beautiful. Sheaves of bronze wheat surround the
elevators, grass balconies once graced the upper level office, and the marble
throughout the building was magnificent!
Lunch and a short stop
at the Mall were included, then a tour of the Pepper Plant in Maroa. Georgene Voorhees greeted the group. She guided them through the green house,
with several colors of peppers reaching far above their heads, fed through a
hydroponic food system. She talked
about the first year experiences, searching for knowledgeable advisors, and
plans for the future. The 10-acre
greenhouse was quite a project for the corn and bean farmers of central
Illinois, but they learned a lot the first year, and are anticipating a bright
future.
It was a great day,
and very informative for all of the ladies of Topflight Grain.
TOPFLIGHT GRAIN GOLF OUTING
By Denny Hill
The 8th annual Topflight Golf outing was held on Wednesday July 27th at the Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscola. On a beautiful day that saw temperatures in the high 70’s, 130 golfers teed off in a scramble format for the many prizes being offered and to enjoy the company of fellow patrons and vendors of Topflight Grain.
Winning the tournament for the 5th time in the last 6 years was the team of Ralph Myers, his son Mitch, Mike Ferrill and John Hill with a score of 61 (11 under par). Second place with a score of 65 went to Larry LeCrone, Brad Lee and Chuck Bentley. The team of Mark Morgan, Kyle Hendrix, Greg Morganthaler and Jim Schroeder captured third place.
Terry Hoffman, Todd Metsker, Rich McCoy and Colby Schwarze won the closest to the pins on the par 3’s. Unfortunately the $5000 hole-in-one prize went unclaimed. Georgene Voorhees won the women’s longest drive, while Mike Ferrill took the men’s longest drive.
After a nice lunch was served by the Ironhorse Golf Club, a drawing was held for the many prizes donated by vendors of Topflight Grain. St. Louis Cardinal ball tickets, golf clubs, gift certificates, golf balls, shirts, umbrellas, were just a few of the gifts taken home by the lucky winners.
Next year we hope to return the outing to a Decatur course and then alternate with Ironhorse Golf Club each year thereafter. This will give our patrons a chance to play different courses and cut down on travel for some every other year.
Thanks to all the vendors who donated prizes, along with the Topflight employees who helped make this event another success. We looking forward to hosting another outing next year and hope you can attend.
HARVEST
FUEL CHECKS
We’ve heard through the grape vine that the Department of Revenue may be making an appearance during harvest to check that off-road diesel fuel is not used in grain trucks hauling grain to the elevators.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
I never thought much about the time, effort, and cost that goes into community projects until I volunteered to chair the sesquicentennial parade committee. All the time I was working on the project I was thankful that Scott allowed me the time it took to work on the project not to mention the cost of postage and paper. The Topflight Grain Co. had a lot invested in the sesquicentennial celebration since Pam was on the main committee and spent many hours working on the project herself. I know a lot of other businesses in town had the same type of investment in the big event. The weekend was a huge success and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely which made all the work and worry worthwhile.
Topflight Grain has employees at our other locations doing the same type of community service. I couldn’t help but wonder as I spent so much time and effort on this project, do the people who live in the towns and surrounding areas appreciate the endeavor?
I hadn’t really given this much thought until I personally got involved. All I ask you to do is to think about this the next time you choose where you do business.
GRAIN PAGE
Please be sure when selling nongmo beans that you specify to your grain buyer that the beans are nongmo. The accounting for nongmo beans is handled completely separate from RoundUp beans, and the difference must be correctly identified at the time of purchase.
DELAYED PRICING CONTRACTS
Signatures on delayed pricing contracts are a critical, legal part of the contract, thoroughly verified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture during their annual audit of all grain facilities. Both signatures, the ag producer and the elevator manager, must sign the delayed pricing contract within 30 days of the last date of delivery, in most cases. If your grain has been delivered on a DP contract, please be sure that the contract is signed and returned to Topflight Grain within 30 days of the last date of delivery. If the contract is not signed within the 30 days, state law requires that the grain be sold. So, please be certain to sign and return your DP contracts as soon as they are sent to you.
Several acres of corn were replanted this spring, mostly due to the late freezes as the corn emerged. If you were unable to plant a variety that is approved in your trade area, please be sure to contact your Topflight Grain facility manager, to make arrangements to channel that corn into the proper market. We realize that due to insecticide treatments and choices, that some unapproved corn had to be planted. Please help us meet the consumer demands for this corn by selling it into the right market.
John McCabe was congratulated by Manager Scott Docherty, as John retired from Topflight Grain. John started in the grain business in 1972, working for Cisco Grain Cooperative. He managed the Argenta facility for several years, and helped build the concrete elevator in Cisco. After his retirement, John bought a different house, and was in the process of moving, when he broke his kneecap. That has slowed down the move to the new house. We wish John a speedy recovery, an easy move, and a very Happy Retirement.
Mikki & Rick hosted an open house for John at the Cisco office, so that his friends of 30+ years could reminisce and wish him well.
Congratulations to:
Denny Hill, 30 years of employment with Cisco Cooperative Grain & Topflight Grain
Roger Burton, 30 years of employment at Bement Grain & Topflight Grain
Garold Hilligoss, 25 years of employment at Cisco Cooperative Grain & Topflight Grain
Pam Jarboe, 25 years of employment at Bement Grain & Topflight Grain
Mikki Burns, 20 years of employment at Cisco Cooperative Grain & Topflight Grain
Charles Bliss, 20 years of employment at Cisco Cooperative Grain & Topflight Grain.
We welcome:
Jason Goodner, to the Seymour location.
Ted Gandy, to the Maroa location.
Jack Warren, transferred from the Bement location to supervisor at the Monticello location.
By Jeff
Wright*
Just a few short years ago, amidst the grain dust and the trucks of corn and beans, I would never have guessed that I would be in Dushanbe Tajikistan, installing traction elevators in a US Embassy building.
I have been with Harris International Elevator Company for eleven years. I go to a lot of grain elevators, factories, and power plants based mainly in the Midwest Region. The majority of all factories, grain elevator and power plants have special purpose personnel elevator (SPPE). I do annual safety surveys and also I am responsible for repairs and installations for these SPPE.
A few years ago, Harris Industries, Inc. purchased International Elevators. In this purchase, Harris took on the job of building two elevators for a new US Embassy being built in Dushanbe Tajikistan. In the process of building these elevators to be shipped out to Dushanbe, Harris was notified that the Embassy needed the elevators installed as well. My boss, Scott Harris, asked Bill Erb and myself if we would be interested in going to do the installations. We both said, “yes” that we would go.
The city of Dushanbe is a city with a population of over one million citizens. We knew no one and could not speak or understand anyone. The day after our arrival, a cab pulled up to our apartment and honked the horn. We got in and off we went. The cab ride was like riding with a race car driver. He took us to the job site.
The Embassy building was huge and there were a lot of people there, both local and US citizens. We spent about two days in meetings of safety and job site security. Then we started to work on the third day.
All the machinery and parts had to be moved into the building by hand. The Embassy supplied us with three local citizens to help us for the first two weeks. Our subcontractor, Kullman Industries, supplied us with interpreters. If you could understand the interpreters, you had it made. After we got through the language barrier, it wasn’t too bad. I found out that for a package of cookies, the locals would do anything for us. We had two three-thousand pound drive units for the elevators that had to be moved into the building by hand. We used roller cars and had to push the units into place. Each unit took about half a day each and lots of cookies. Basically all the parts were very heavy and it was great to have the help.
After about a week and a half, we were able to start the installation. Each elevator has a four thousand pound capacity and/or ten people. They are automatic and will have polished stainless steel with oak trim finish on the inside. Presently we have the two elevators halfway completed. At this point, we were brought back to the US. When the next stage of the building construction for the Embassy is completed, we will return to finish the installations, which will probably take two more months.
While we were there, we managed to see some sites in Dushanbe. The city was very large and was surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The view was beautiful. The city was very busy and there was a lot of construction going on. The streets were filled with the locals walking. The only vehicles we saw were taxis and trucks. At any intersection, at anytime during the day, we would see 75- 100 people walking in any direction.
The restaurants had English-speaking waitresses. The food was very good. It was mainly chicken. There was not a steak or cheeseburger on the menus.
After being there a month, we had made a lot of friends, both American and local citizens. We met most evenings at the fountain area where we ate, drank, and conversed with our new friends.
I am very thankful for the experience and I am anxious to complete the job.
*Jeff Wright worked for Bement Grain in the late ‘70’s & ‘80’s.
YEAR END AUDIT
The year end
financial audit involves employees and directors.
Jim, Chuck, Tim
and Duane measured the bins in the Bement elevator. Taking inventory requires checking each bin to record what
commodity is stored in it, and dropping a tape measure down to the level of
grain, and recording that measurement.
Grain quality is also noted and recorded. Once all of the measurements have been taken, the auditors
calculate total bushels in the entire Topflight elevators. Then, they sit in
the basement, reviewing accounting printouts, verifying grain contracts &
DP contracts, confirming the checking account balance, in order to produce the
year-end financial statements. The
results of all this work is presented at the annual meeting. If you were unable to attend the annual
meeting, and wish to see the financial statement, please ask at your local
Topflight facility.
Red Skelton's tips for a Happy Marriage
1. Two times a week, we go to
a nice restaurant, have a little beverage,
then comes good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on
Fridays.
2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in Ontario and mine is in
Tucson.
3. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.
4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere
I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen. I
then went someplace I hadn't been in a long time: the ER
5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.
6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker.
Then she said "There are too many gadgets and no place to sit down!"
So I
bought her an electric chair.
7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water
in
the carburetor. I asked where the car was, she told me "In the Lake."
8. She got a mudpack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell
off.
9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling "Am I too late for the
garbage?” The driver said, "No, jump in!"
10. Remember. Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.
11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always.
12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt
her.
13. The last fight was my fault. My wife asked "What's on the
TV?" I
said, "Dust!"
You know how some days just go to pieces? One Tuesday morning as we came to work in the Bement office, we found a worn out electrical breaker, no hot water, a malfunctioning water fountain, and toilets that wouldn’t flush! We could “get by” with the power, without the hot water, and without the drinking fountain, but we really needed the other facility.
Roger & Eric were able to fix the electrical breaker, a new water fountain was installed, a new water heater was installed, but the other situation took some investigation. Deciding that we needed to dig a little deeper, we called Stan Seevers. Jon and David brought down a big backhoe and started digging. They found the problem, discussed the solutions with Eric and fixed it. It is great to have all of our services working, but we sure felt knee deep in trouble for awhile!
2ND GRADE FUN!!
It seems like the school year just finished, and now the students are already back in their classrooms and we are meeting with the Bement 2nd grade teacher to plan this year’s activities.
Our spring field trip with the 2nd grade class took us to Decatur, to the Herald and Review. Michelle showed us the different papers that are printed by the Herald & Review staff, and the different jobs performed by the staff. She walked us through the printing process, showing us the printing machines, the huge rolls of paper, and the screens that used in the printing process. It was a great tour, and we learned a lot. Many employees shared their work time with us, describing their job at the paper.
After Happy Meal lunches at McDonalds, our bus delivered us to Millikin University, Kirkland Center, for “The Rainbow Fish”. The play about a fish who thought beauty was so important was a special event for all of us.
Our last day with the 2004-05 2nd grade class was for lunch and a PlayDay. Scott, Pam, Vanessa, Rodd and Eric joined the class for lunch and a quiz about the year’s activities with Topflight Grain. Once the quiz was completed, we rushed out to Coles Pasture for games of 3-legged races, potato sack races, Tug-of-War, and other relay races. It was a fun day, and it was a great year!! We look forward to this year!
After several years of saying “We need to make a new float”, and trying to find a new idea that was buildable and transportable, the maintenance crew went to work, building the Topflight biplane. Roger and Rob designed the airplane frame to fit on a golf cart, so that it would have it’s on go-power. The lower wings hinge up, so it can be driven onto the trailer for transportation. The propeller turns, and the strobe light lights up the tail fin. The airplane taxied the runways of the Cerro Gordo Sesquicentennial, Maroa Celebration, Monticello Rodeo Days, Seymour 4th of July, Hammond 4th of July, Bement Sesquicentennial and the Atwood Apple Dumpling Festival. The maintenance crew did a fantastic job of designing and building the new Topflight float.
A couple of weekends, we took the Topflight pickup truck to a parade, because the airplane was in another parade. We had a great time in the Argenta parade, and later toured the historical museum, which previously was the elevator office. The committee has done a great job of preserving the history of Argenta! We also enjoyed lunch and a great visit with the neighbors.
840 stockholders and guests enjoyed Topflight Grain’s 8th annual meeting, on August 12, at the Decatur Civic Center. Hump’s Cut Catering served the buffet dinner of grilled steak, pork & chicken, salads, potatoes and dessert, as the guests arrived, between 5:30 & 6:30.
Annual meeting chairman, Dave Zelhart welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Richard Larimore, president to conduct the annual meeting. During the meeting, Richard introduced the board members and their wives, Allen Reeder, secretary, read the minutes from last year’s meeting, and Chuck Bentley, controller, presented the financial statement. Manager Scott Docherty talked about some of the accomplishments of the past year, and some of the challenges of the future. He introduced all of the employees and recognized Mikki Burns for 20 years of employment and Pam Jarboe for 25 years of employment. He also thanked Tim Morton, Allen Reeder and Duane Robson, for their years of commitment as directors of Topflight Grain, as they chose to step down from the Board.
Tim Morton announced the results of the election of directions, declaring the elected directors to be Kyle Johnson and Kurt Robson. They will be serving the next fiscal year with Richard Larimore, Cary Hinton, Bill Schable, Ron Meece, JW Day, Ken Ruff, Louie Stoerger, Dave Zelhart, and George Riley.
Richard Larimore asked for other business. With no other business, the meeting was adjourned and Dave Zelhart introduced Steve and Julie McClarey as the evening’s entertainment. Julie is Ragtime Piano Champion and delighted the audience with her skills. Steve vocally accompanied her on several of the selections.
A pound of Farmland bacon was given to each guest as they left for the evening.
During the meeting, the sounds of thunder and rain could be heard, as the guests welcomed the sounds and the results. Comments were made that Jerry Kuykendall should be retained for the invocation each year!
At the August board meeting, Ron Meece was elected president, Bill Schable as vice-president, and Cary Hinton as secretary, of your board of directors.
Construction on the new bin at Emery started this spring, for completion this fall. The big, shiny structure has a capacity of 690,000 bushels. It is 105,000 feet in diameter; the sidewalls are 84 feet tall; it is 115 feet to the roof peak; and contains 32 rings of steel.
This added storage at Emery will greatly assist harvest grain handling and post harvest storage.
We’ve had some wonderful groups visit our offices this summer, to learn more the grain business. A group of business students from Tiawan were accompanied by Larry Stapleton of Millikin University and Steve Ayers of the U of I Extension Service. Ginny Einhorn brought a great group from her day care center. Morgan Park Academy made their annual visit to Bement, from near Chicago. We hosted a reunion group of friends who neighbor in Florida during the winter. They were Bement guests of Frank & Violet Swaim, spending several days in our town.
The villages of Bement and Cerro Gordo celebrated their Sesquicentennials this summer. Both were great weekends of activities and friendships renewed.
Cerro Gordo celebrated their 150 years on the third weekend in June. Friday evening was an evening for the younger set, featuring a bicycle parade, and other activities for the kids. On Saturday, the parade featured floats, antique cars and tractors, horses, firetrucks and more. Street vendors, lots of good food, and a quilt show were a few of the events going on all day Saturday. Saturday evening, citizens and guests attended the Fat Hill Pageant, which told the story of the village and its history.
Bement celebrated its Sesquicentennial on July 29 – 31. Celebrity entertainment included country music stars Margo Smith and Billy Walker for 3 shows, special DJ performance by Todd Thomas, a Farmers Market, variety acts in the village park, community church service, and a luminary ceremony to recognize all veterans. New and very special to the celebration was the Cemetery Walk, prepared by Marilyn Ayers of the Bryant Cottage State Historical Site, featuring portrayals of 7 of Bement’s earliest settlers, describing the life in their time.
Many Bement natives came “home” for the weekend. People visited, told stories, rekindled friendships, and enjoyed the activities and the social times.
The annual crop tour was conducted by Topflight Grain on August 23. 13 teams surveyed the trade area, stopping every 3 or 4 miles to conduct the survey. In the corn fields, they counted the population, rows of kernels, and the number of kernels in a row. Using a yield calculator slide rule, these numbers produce an estimated yield for the field. In the bean fields, three plants were selected, to count the number of pods. At the meeting, held that evening, to present the results of the crop tour, Derrick Bruhn showed the past year’s estimates, and then showed the numbers of this year’s survey. The estimated corn yield was presented at 144 bushel/acre. This compares to 174 bu/acre in the 2004 crop survey. Spokesmen from several of the groups commented on inconsistent pollination. It was not uncommon to find an ear with very few kernels on it right next to a big, well filled-out ear.
Derrick and Pam, also showed the aerial crop tour that they had taken on August 22, with pilot Larry Bartram. The pictures showed very few areas of corn blown down, no ponds, and a crop that looks great from the air. (These pictures are available on the website www.topflightgrain.com, by clicking in the crop tour box, on aerial crop tour.)
Also on the evening’s program was Aaron Grote, Brian Malone and Roy Huckabay. Aaron, salesman and crop specialist for United Prairie LLC, showed several corn cobs with pollination problems, citing insects, drought, and emergence as contributors to the problems. Brian Malone, Piatt County FSA, described the ease and benefits of electronic filing, through the FSA office. It can be completed at any time, from your home computer, and the money is deposited directly into a checking account within 2 – 3 days. Brian also introduced the new 633EZ form, which can be used in place of the 709 & 633 forms of past years. Roy Huckabay, from the LinGroup, presented a market outlook that was friendly to the corn market. He cited world demand for corn as strong. The charts on ethanol and soy diesel demand showed a rising market, creating more demand for our crops of corn and soybeans.
The meeting also included a delicious pork chop dinner catered by Basket Case Catering. Another excellent meal was served by Tracy Ferrill and her staff.
An Old Farmer's Advice:
* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and
bull-strong.
* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere
tractor.
* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not
yelled.
* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
* The best sermons are lived, not preached.
* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna
happen anyway.
* Don't judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think
back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you
none.
* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain
dance.
* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is
stop diggin'.
* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
* Always drink upstream from the herd.
* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes
from bad judgment.
* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier
than puttin' it back in.
* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,
try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak
kindly. Leave the rest to God
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Topflight Grain mission statement: We are committed to the
future of agriculture by improving the profitability of our customers through
quality service and exceptional people.
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